Sowore Sues IGP, Police, FG, Demands ₦1.2bn for Illegal Arrest, Detention

Sowore Sues IGP, Police, FG, Demands ₦1.2bn for Illegal Arrest, Detention
He alleges rights violations during arrest at Abuja court premises.
Lawyers demand public apology, disciplinary action against officers.

Human rights activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, has filed a ₦1.2 billion lawsuit against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force, the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the Attorney General of the Federation.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the suit, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenges what Sowore described as his “illegal arrest, detention, and arraignment” by police operatives in the capital city.

In the originating motion filed by a team of 20 human rights lawyers led by Tope Temokun, Sowore seeks judicial declarations that his arrest and arraignment on October 23 and 24, 2025, were unlawful and violated his constitutional rights. The suit, brought under Sections 34, 35, 37, 41, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Articles 2, 5, 6, and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, described the police’s actions as a “blatant abuse of power.”

Sowore stated that he was arrested within the premises of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over allegations of participating in a peaceful protest said to have breached a supposed court order. He insisted no such order was served on him, accusing the police of taking “self-help rather than following due process.”

The activist’s legal team is demanding ₦200 million in general damages for unlawful arrest and detention, and ₦1 billion in punitive damages for what they termed “gross human rights violations.” He is also seeking a court order compelling the police to publicly apologise in at least three national newspapers.

Furthermore, the suit requests that the Attorney General initiate disciplinary action against the IGP and the FCT Police Commissioner under the Anti-Torture Act of 2017 and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.

Court documents obtained by SaharaReporters confirm the case was filed and acknowledged at the Federal High Court Cashier’s Office in Abuja on November 12, 2025.